Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disorder is mildly disabling and does not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his in-service injury and denied service connection.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his low back disability has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back condition and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or arthritis of the fingers and knees that were incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence is against these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing. His case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure proper notice and assistance in the reopening of claims for service connection for PTSD, hepatitis, and a back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current hypertension and spine disorders.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's back disability, currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence did not show any basis to increase this rating based on current functional limitations and lack of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's low back strain with scoliosis since April 2, 1996. The condition is manifested by slight limitation of motion and pain on standing long periods.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for low back disability. The veteran's claims for varicose veins, right leg, and increased rating for varicose veins, left leg are also denied.

The Board granted the appellant's increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and found that he was entitled to a separate compensable evaluation for residual surgical scarring. The effective date of the grant of service connection for psychiatric disability remains July 26, 1994.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a right leg disorder, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology post-service. The Board also found that there is no medical opinion linking current disabilities to service.

The veteran's low back disorder is found to be service-connected, and he is granted a compensable rating for his left orchiectomy. The residuals of toxic gas exposure are not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for his hearing loss, low back condition, sinusitis, and headaches. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further development. The issue of increasing his disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine will be reconsidered.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder was not incurred in or related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted increased ratings of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and 20 percent for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, effective from the date of the appealed July 1996 rating decision.

The Board has determined that there is no link between the veteran's current back disability and his service, including any injury he reported in service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.